One Earth, One Woman's Global Journey: A Naxi Woman's Adventures

Author: Yang Yiben
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: She is a Naxi woman who only left Lijiang, known as the "pocket bottom," for the provincial capital of Kunming at the age of 21. To the women around her, this was already a "shocking achievement." Her father said that in the past, if a woman in the village could go to Dali with her husband or family, it was something worth boasting about, and she would be repeatedly introduced to the villagers as someone who had "seen the city gates." However, the story unfolded far beyond anyone's imagination at the time. This Naxi woman not only stepped out of her original "small world" but also embarked on a journey westward. Earth of Yang Yiben recounts the experiences of a convoy and an exploration team in Central Asia, West Asia, and East Africa, covering history, geography, folklore, religion, culture, and more. The author, Yang Yiben, the Vice Mayor of Lijiang City, said in an interview with a reporter that eight years ago, she began a global journey with a convoy of over 20 people. This Naxi woman from Lijiang, Yunnan, finally had the chance to fulfill her childhood dream.
Around the castle is an open area, with the Chu River to the west. From the city center, the Chu River can be seen far away, like a golden ribbon flowing down from the horizon. About 100 meters to the south is a long stretch of broken walls. Pits had been dug around the castle, and on the way here, we heard a shepherd say that he had found a 30-kilogram solid gold tiger nearby, along with dozens of kilograms of copper coins. That gold tiger was bought by a "officer" for 2,000 dollars. I was deeply heartbroken to see the ancient city of Kuqa destroyed so cruelly, but frankly, as a cultural worker, there was nothing I could do. Standing in the castle, I immersed myself in history, as if I saw Li Bai shopping in the market with his mother and reciting the Four Books and Five Classics in his study at night. When Li Bai needed to urinate at night, his mother used a ceramic jar to collect it. Because Qiyun found a broken ceramic jar, I jokingly said, "This must be Li Bai's urinal—taking it back would be worth a fortune." Qiyun indeed held onto it for a long time, weighing it in his hands, and until we were about to get on the bus, he reluctantly threw it away, saying it couldn’t be taken.
Li Bai, from a young age, loved swordsmanship and was a chivalrous and poetic figure. I think it was the folk customs of Central Asia, the heroes of past and present, and the civilizations of the East and West, as well as the diverse people and events that passed through the ancient Silk Road, that shaped Li Bai's bold and generous personality. He wrote, "At fifteen, I loved swordsmanship, and I overthrew all the feudal lords," and he "drank freely and traveled widely," saying, "Call the boy to exchange fine wine, and together we'll drown the sorrows of ages." Truly, he was a great poet with a bold and spirit.
I sat in the ancient castle for a long, long time, letting the wind and sun blow on me, unwilling to leave. The hustle and bustle of the market seemed to echo in my ears, as if Li Bai's slender figure was moving in every corner before me. He wore a white shirt and pants, his hair tied in a bun, sometimes following his mother in the market and other times studying in his father's study. The sun set, and I reluctantly bid farewell, turning back three times at every step.
When we returned to the Xinqu Kindergarten, the RV was already there. I knew the team leader and others had only returned from Bishkek to the camp at 9 p.m. the night before. Though we had only been apart for a day, everyone was very happy to see each other, as if we had been reunited after a long separation. You patted me, I scratched you, and we were very affectionate. The farewell banquet was hosted by the Muslim Association and could be described as lavish. Leaders from several villages in Shaanxi Manor were all present. During the banquet, we sang and danced together, first with a lively traditional dance of the old Hui people, then with international dance. The current editor of Qingmiao invited me to dance the Russian dance, and Shaba and Baodong also asked me to dance. The editor also brought his beautiful daughter to ask the painter Fu Shucheng for advice on learning Chinese painting.
Finally, the banquet ended. Everyone was in high spirits. The team leader Li Jie took the painter Shucheng, secretary Xiao Long, and CCTV's Zhang Xu to the president's home, while the rest of the group returned to the RVs to sleep. Under the moonlight, Shaba, Dongsheng, Baodong, and others came to bid farewell to us. I gave Shaba a Lijiang VCD, even though I knew there was no VCD player here. But I hope Shaba keeps it, and one day he will play it for his children. Perhaps one day his descendants will come to Lijiang.
P28-30